Best Surfing Books

Here you will get Best Surfing Books For you.This is an up-to-date list of recommended books.

1. Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

Author: by Andrew Doughty
Published at: Wizard Publications Inc.; All new 9th edition (September 16, 2019)
ISBN: 978-1949678048

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The finest guidebook ever written for Maui. Now you can plan your best vacation-ever. This all new ninth edition is a candid, humorous guide to everything there is to see and do on the island. Best-selling author and longtime Hawai’i resident, Andrew Doughty, unlocks the secrets of an island so lush and diverse that many visitors never realize all that it has to offer.

Explore with him as he reveals breathtaking trails, secluded beaches, pristine reefs, delicious places to eat, colorful craters, hidden waterfalls and so much more. Every restaurant, activity provider, business and resort is reviewed personally and anonymously. This book and a rental car are all you need to discover what makes Maui so exciting.


2. Surf Shack: Laid-Back Living by the Water (CLARKSON POTTER)

Author: by Nina Freudenberger
Published at: Clarkson Potter; Illustrated edition (April 11, 2017)
ISBN: 978-0451496058

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“Cabin porn goes coastal in Nina Freudenberger’s Surf Shack” [Vanity Fair], and here are bungalows, trailers, cabins, and beach homes where surfers retreat after a day on the waves. Peek inside the homes of longtime enthusiasts and dedicated newcomers that reflect not just a sport or passion, but also a way of life.

Blake and Heather Mycoskie of TOMS, hotelier Sean MacPherson, Gypset author Julia Chaplin, and others have set up their spaces to embrace a casual ease and be the break between the waves. With vibrant photographs of design details and bright beachesfrom Malibu to the Rockaways, from Japan to Australiathis book captures the soulful milieu of a lifestyle we all aspire to.”A colorful tour of some of the most unique surfer abodes around the world, from Melbourne to New York City.” Architectural Digest


3. BAD KARMA: The True Story of a Mexico Trip from Hell

Author: by Paul Wilson
Published at: Ocean Front Publishing; Illustrated edition (December 26, 2019)
ISBN: 978-0578579061

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In the summer of 1978, twenty-one-year-old Paul Wilson jumps at the chance to join two local icons on a dream surf trip to mainland Mexico, unaware their ultimate destination lies in the heart of drug cartel country. Having no earthly idea of where he’ll get the money to pay his share, and determined to prove his mettle, he does the only thing he can think of: He robs a supermarket.

And, if karma didn’t already have enough reason to doom the trip, he soon learns one of his companions is a convicted killer on the run, and the other an unscrupulous cad. Mishap and misfortune rule the days, and mere survival takes precedence over surfing.

Original photographs (including pre-kingpin El Chapo), and Wilson’s strong narrative style, combine to make this true story personalin the tradition of Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer, and Barbarian Days, A Surfing Life by William Finneganexcept this tale had to wait for the statute of limitations to expire before it could be told.

READERS FAVORITE – Silver Award Winner for 2020! Bad Karma has instantly joined the pantheon of great adventure writing! Elizabeth Howard “Fear and Loathing goes to Mexico” Neil P. Reid “Amazing story!!! When does the movie come out?” Launa Brockman”Exhilarating, raw, PURE…


4. Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life

Author: by William Finnegan
Published at: Penguin Books; Illustrated edition (April 26, 2016)
ISBN: 978-0143109396

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Winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Autobiography*Reading this guy on the subject of waves and water is like reading Hemingway on bullfighting; William Burroughs on controlled substances; Updike on adultery…. A coming-of-age story, seen through the gloss resin coat of a surfboard.

Sports IllustratedIncluded in President Obama’s 2016 Summer Reading List Barbarian Days is William Finnegan’s memoir of an obsession, a complex enchantment. Surfing only looks like a sport. To initiates, it is something else: a beautiful addiction, a demanding course of study, a morally dangerous pastime, a way of life.

Raised in California and Hawaii, Finnegan started surfing as a child. He has chased waves all over the world, wandering for years through the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, Africa. A bookish boy, and then an excessively adventurous young man, he went on to become a distinguished writer and war reporter.

Barbarian Days takes us deep into unfamiliar worlds, some of them right under our nosesoff the coasts of New York and San Francisco. It immerses the reader in the edgy camaraderie of close male friendships forged in challenging waves. Finnegan shares stories of life in a whites-only gang in a tough school in Honolulu.


5. REMEMBERING BUTCH: The Butch Van Artsdalen Story

Author: by Douglas Cavanaugh
Published at: Independently published (March 4, 2021)
ISBN: 979-8707172649

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Surfer, lover, fighter, lifesaver Butch Van Artsdalen was all of these things and so much more during his all too short but exciting life here among us. Everyone who was around the surfing scene from the 1950s to the 1970s has a Butch story, many of which have been compiled in this oral history of his life and times.

From his early days as a part of the wild Windansea Beach crowd, to being the first Mr. Pipeline, to becoming, along with Eddie Aikau, the first lifeguard on the North Shore of Oahu, Butch rarely knew a dull moment and he packed a lot of living in his thirty-eight years.

He had many ups and downs in his life, starting with becoming one of surfing’s brightest stars in the early 60s with his cutting edge performances at the dreaded Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii, to losing his status as one of the in crowd with the hippie shortboard revolution later in the decade.

He would realize a more important role when he saved countless lives as a lifeguard in the 70s, but sadly his severe depression, exacerbated by alcoholism, kept him from fully understanding and embracing everything that he meant to so many people.


6. Surf Shacks Volume 2

Author: by gestalten
Published at: gestalten (October 20, 2020)
ISBN: 978-3899558579

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Surfing is a way of life, one that defines not only where we live, but how we live. Surf Shacks Volume 2 picks up where the first volume left off, exploring homes of surfers, which range from improvised cabins by the beach to penthouse apartments in big coastal cities.

In this followup, we meet a fascinating cast of characters from the shores of southern California through to the wild waters of Sri Lanka, Japan and Australia.


7. Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board

Author: by Bethany Hamilton
Published at: MTV Books; Illustrated edition (June 6, 2006)
ISBN: 978-1416503460

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In this moving personal account of faith and fortitude, internationally ranked surfer Bethany Hamilton tells how she survived a shark attack that cost her arm-but not her spirit. They say Bethany Hamilton has saltwater in her veins. How else could one explain the passion that drives her to surf?

How else could one explain that nothingnot even the loss of her armcould come between her and the waves? That Halloween morning in Kauai, Hawaii, Bethany responded to the shark’s stealth attack with the calm of a girl with God on her side.

Pushing pain and panic aside, she began to paddle with one arm, focusing on a single thought: Get to the beach…. And when the first thing Bethany wanted to know after surgery was When can I surf again? It became clear that her spirit and determination were part of a greater storya tale of courage and faith that this soft-spoken girl would come to share with the world.

Soul Surfer is a moving account of Bethany’s life as a young surfer, her recovery after the attack, the adjustments she’s made to her unique surfing style, her unprecedented bid for a top showing in the World Surfing Championships, and, most fundamentally, her belief in God.


8. The History of Surfing

Author: by Matt Warshaw
Published at: Chronicle Books; Illustrated edition (September 1, 2010)
ISBN: 978-0811856003

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Matt Warshaw knows more about surfing than any other person on the planet. After five years of research and writing, Warshaw has crafted an unprecedented history of the sport and the culture it has spawned. At nearly 500 pages, with 250,000 words and more than 250 rare photographs, The History of Surfing reveals and defines this sport with a voice that is authoritative, funny, and wholly original.

The obsessive nature of this endeavor is matched only by the obsessive nature of surfers, who will pore through these pages with passion and opinion. A true category killer, here is the definitive history of surfing.


9. In Waves

Author: by AJ Dungo
Published at: Nobrow; Illustrated edition (June 4, 2019)
ISBN: 978-1910620632

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A tale of love, heartbreak and surfing from an important new voice in comics. In Waves is Craig Thompson’s Blankets meets William Finnegan’s Barbarian Days. In this visually arresting graphic novel, surfer and illustrator AJ Dungo remembers his late partner, her battle with cancer, and their shared love of surfing that brought them strength throughout their time together.

With his passion for surfing uniting many narratives, he intertwines his own story with those of some of the great heroes of surf in a rare work of nonfiction that is as moving as it is fascinating.

10. Surf Tribe (Hannibal)

Author: by Stephan Vanfleteren

Published at: Cannibal Publishing; 1st edition (June 30, 2018)
ISBN: 978-9492677365

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An incomparable new photo book about the international surf culture by Stephan VanfleterenShowcases captivating portraits of some of the world’s surf iconsWith Surf Tribe, photographer Stephan Vanfleteren shows that there is far more to surf culture than just sport and competition.

Surfing is also about a deep admiration and respect for the ocean, as well as the feeling of insignificance when confronted with the forces of nature. Surfers use the waves for fun, but also to forget and to battle, both with others and with themselves.

Vanfleteren looks beyond the traditional borders of the United States and Australia and searches the globe for people who live in places where sea and land meet. He documents a fluid community, with nature as its sole leader. He has sought out young talent, living icons, and old legends, both competitive and free surfers.

The photographs here are serene black and white portraits in Vanfleteren’s well-known, haunting style; as always, he reaches below the surface and goes to the core of his subjects. Included, amongst many others, are Kelly Slater, Gerry Lopez, John Florence, Mickey Munoz, Filipe Toledo and Stephanie Gilmore.

11. She Surf: The Rise of Female Surfing

Author: by Lauren L. Hill
Published at: gestalten (June 16, 2020)
ISBN: 978-3899559989

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Join the celebration of the diverse, vibrant, and engaged community of women riding and making waves around the globe. While surfing is usually seen as a male domain, women have long been nurturing their own water stories and claiming their rightful place in the world of this sport.

She Surf hails the females, past and present, who are engaged in expanding the art of surfing. Through exclusive interviews and evocative imagery, the book travels from the iconic waves of Hawaii to remote locations in Morocco. Learn about the forgotten stories of Polynesian surfing princesses, pioneering wave riders from the 1960s, and the contemporary movers and shakers shaping the scene.

This book is an exciting reflection on what it means to be a female surfer and what it means to be moved to action by the beauty of the sea.

12. Surf Like a Girl

Author: by Carolina Amell
Published at: Prestel (October 1, 2019)
ISBN: 978-3791385952

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Whether they’re threading a barrel or shredding a swell, these amazing women are making enormous waves in the world of surfing. If you thought surfing was a male-dominated sport, think again. The thirty women surfers profiled in this thrilling collection can rip a wave with the best of them.

Hailing from all over the world, each surfer is featured in spectacular photography and with their own inspirational words. There’s American professional surfer Lindsay Steinriede on how her father’s death has inspired her career; French board shaper Valerie Duprat on how she got her start “sculpting foam”; Conchita Rossler, founder of Mooana Retreat in Portugal, on connecting mind, body, and spirit; and Australian photographer Cait Miers on empowering women.

You’ll also meet surfers who are over sixty, who surf while pregnant, who captain boats, teach yoga, and make movies. Breathtaking photography captures these women from every angle, on and off the waves, in some of the world’s most visually stunning locations.

13. Moon Costa Rica (Travel Guide)

Author: by Nikki Solano
Published at: Moon Travel; 1st edition (November 12, 2019)
ISBN: 978-1640490864

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Whether you’re zip-lining through cloud forests, relaxing on a wellness retreat, or swimming with manta rays, discover the real pura vida with Moon Costa Rica. Inside you’ll find:Flexible, strategic itineraries designed for backpackers, beach-lovers, adventure travelers, honeymooners, and more, including the best beaches for swimming, sunsets, and seclusionThe best spots for eco-friendly outdoor adventures like kayaking, hiking, and scuba-diving: Swim under a waterfall, raft over rapids, explore mysterious caves, and cliff-dive into river pools.

Hike to the summit of Mount Chirrip, the highest point in Costa Rica, snorkel with sea turtles in warm turquoise water, or soak in a volcanic mineral poolUnique and authentic experiences: Admire the forest floor from the middle of a hanging bridge, or take an aerial tram to lake, volcano, and ocean views.

Relax on a pristine beach and watch the sunrise with a cup of flavorful local coffee. Fill up on fried plantains at a traditional soda, and shop at a neighborhood mercadoInsight from Cartago local Nikki Solano on how to experience Costa Rica like an insider, support local and sustainable businesses, avoid crowds, and respectfully engage with the cultureFull-color photos and detailed maps throughoutBackground information on Costa Rica’s landscape, history, and cultural customs, as well as volunteer opportunities Handy tools including a Spanish phrasebook, packing suggestions, and travel tips for disability access, solo travelers, seniors, and LGBTQ travelersWith Moon’s practical tips and local know-how, you can experience Costa Rica your way.

14. Surfing. 1778–Today (PRIX FAVORABLE)

Author: by Jim Heimann
Published at: TASCHEN (January 6, 2021)
ISBN: 978-3836583282

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This tome is the most comprehensive visual history of surfing to date, marking a major cultural event as much as a publication. Following three and a half years of meticulous research, it brings together hundreds of images to chart the evolution of surfing as a sport, a lifestyle, and a philosophy.

The book is arranged into five chronological chapters, tracing surfing culture from the first recorded European contact in 1778 by Captain James Cook to the global and multi-platform phenomenon of today. Utilizing institutions, collections, and photographic archives from around the world, and with accompanying essays by the world’s top surf journalists, it celebrates the sport on and off the water, as a community of 20 million practitioners and countless more devotees, and as a leading influence on fashion, film, art, and music.

An unrivaled tribute to the breadth, complexity, and richness of surfing, this book is a must-have for any serious player on the surfing scene and anybody who aspires to the surfing lifestyle. As one surfing scribe has declared, There has never been a book like this, and there will never be another one again.

15. Surf Craft: Design and the Culture of Board Riding (The MIT Press)

Author: by Richard Kenvin
Published at: The MIT Press (July 18, 2014)
ISBN: 978-0262027601

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The evolution of the surfboard, from traditional Hawaiian folk designs to masterpieces of mathematical engineering to mass-produced fiberglass. Surfboards were once made of wood and shaped by hand, objects of both cultural and recreational significance. Today most surfboards are mass-produced with fiberglass and a stew of petrochemicals, moving (or floating) billboards for athletes and their brands, emphasizing the commercial rather than the cultural.

Surf Craft maps this evolution, examining surfboard design and craft with 150 color images and an insightful text. From the ancient Hawaiian alaia, the traditional board of the common people, to the unadorned boards designed with mathematical precision (but built by hand) by Bob Simmons, to the store-bought longboards popularized by the 1959 surf-exploitation movie Gidget, board design reflects both aesthetics and history.

The decline of traditional alaia board riding is not only an example of a lost art but also a metaphor for the disintegration of traditional culture after the Republic of Hawaii was overthrown and annexed in the 1890s. In his text, Richard Kenvin looks at the craft and design of surfboards from a historical and cultural perspective.

16. Moon Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands (Travel Guide)

Author: by Bethany Pitts
Published at: Moon Travel; 7th edition (November 5, 2019)
ISBN: 978-1631217050

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Canoe through the Amazon, explore the bustling capital of Quito, snorkel in the Galpagos, or kick back on the coast: Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Moon Ecuador & the Galpagos Islands. Inside you’ll find:Flexible itineraries for spending time in the Sierras, the Amazon, the coast, Quito, and the Galpagos IslandsStrategic advice for ethical travelers, adventure lovers, budget travelers, history and culture buffs, wellness seekers, and moreMust-see highlights and unique experiences: Hike through the Amazon rainforest, paddle across lily-covered lagoons, and spot camian, tapir, or pink river dolphins.

Dive with hammerhead sharks in the Galpagos, cycle the epic waterfall route in Baos, and watch the sun rise over the peaks where the Amazon meets the Andes. Wander cobbled colonial streets and gaze up at snow-capped volcanoes rising from wildflower-strewn grasslands.

Take a surfing lesson in Montaita, and relax on the beach with a mojito in hand How to ethically experience Ecuador like an insider, support local and sustainable businesses, and respectfully engage with the indigenous communities, including those with shamanic traditions Expert insight from local author Bethany Pitts on where to eat, how to get around, where to stay, and how to avoid crowds Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Reliable background on the landscape, climate, wildlife, and history, as well as health and safety advice, environmental issues, and common customs and etiquette Handy tools including a Spanish phrasebook, volunteer opportunities, packing suggestions, and travel tips for families with kids, seniors, travelers with disabilities, and LGBTQ travelersWith Moon Ecuador & the Galpagos Islands’ practical tips and local know-how, you can plan your trip your way.